My Stamping Garage

Masculine Cards

I decided I needed to stock up on some masculine cards, so that is the focus of my post today. It always seems relatively easy to come up with floral, feminine cards, but I have heard many people comment that they have a difficult time coming up with cards for men.  I hope you find these cards helpful!

Lobster Card

Stamps: By the Tide, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Inks: Craft White, Real Red

Cardstock: Midnight Muse, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Natural White

Accessories: Square Lattice Texture Impressions Folder (item #119976), Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine (item #123125), Word Window Punch (Item # 119857), Modern Label Punch (Item # 1198490, Regals Candy Dots (Item # 130932), Crystal Effects (Item # 101055) - The Crystal Effects gives the lobster a raised, shiny appearance.

Tractor Card

Stamps: Harvest Blessings

Inks: Black Stazon

Cardstock: Basic Black, Real Red, Sahara Sand

Accessories: Chevron Border Punch (from Holiday Catalog - item # 132154), Bitty Banners Framelits (Item # 129267), Neutral Designer Buttons (Item # 130031), and Neutral Candy Dots (Item # 130934)

Nautilus Card

Stamps: By the Seashore, Off the Grid, Gorgeous Grunge, Occasions Alphabet

Inks: Midnight Muse, Cajun Craze

Cardstock: Midnight Muse, Cajun Craze, Natural White

Accessories: Midnight Muse Stitched Satin Ribbon (Item #126847)

To order any of these items, go to my website - www.kimpeckstamps.stampinup.net

 

 

Wetlands and Watercolors

I love the Wetlands Stamp set from this year's catalog. It reminds me of many trips to the beach and great times with family!

Today's cards were inspired by a recent trip to the coast.  

Wading Birds Card

Stamp Sets: Wetlands, Itty Bitty Banners, Gorgeous Grunge

cardstock: Coastal Cabana, So Saffron, Baked Brown Sugar, watercolor paper, natural ivory card stock

Ink: Black Stazon, Coastal Cabana, Bermuda Bay, Baked Brown Sugar, Soft Sky, So saffron, Calypso Coral, Illuminate

Accessories: Bitty Banners Framelits (Item # 129267), Aqua painter (Item # 103954), Soft Suede Candy Dots from the Neutrals Candy Dots (Item # 130934), 7/16" Natural Trim (Item # 129287),  Square Lattice Texture folder (Item #119976)

Sea Oats Card

Stamps: Wetlands, Gorgeous Grunge

Inks: Black Stazon, Island Indigo, Crumb Cake, Coastal Cabana, So saffron, Calypso Coral, Pear Pizzazz

Cardstock: Island Indigo, Pool Party, Crumb Cake, Pear Pizzazz, Watercolor paper

Accessories:Square Lattice Texture folder (Item #119976), 7/16" natural trim (Item #129287), Decorative Label Punch (item 120907),  Modern Label Punch ( Item # 119849) Subtles Candy dots (Item #130933), Aqua Painter (item # 103954)

Canadian Goose Card

This card was inspired by a card that I got as a swap at Convention. I changed some colors, and added an element or two. I wish that I could have given the person credit who designed the original swap, but unfortunately, the card had no contact information. It was definitely one of my favorites!

Stamp sets: Wetlands

Card Stock: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Old Olive, watercolor paper

Ink: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Marina Mist, Smoky Slate

Accessories: 7/16" natural Trim ( Item # 129287), Window Frame Collections Framelits (Item# 129021), Vintage Trinkets (item # 118764)

One of the things I did to change this card was to add the fancy border at the bottom of the Crumb Cake layer. I did this using the Window Frames Collection Framelits (item # 129021). I cut the Crumb Cake Layer so that it would just fit inside the second largest framelit. Leave the other end of the layer so that it rests on top of the framelit, so that it doesn't get cut off. (see the picture below)

 

Once you run this through the Big Shot, it will cut the bottom edge, but leave the top edge intact. There will be a slight impression on the layer of card stock, but you will be covering this with another layer, so it will not show.

 

Simply Sketched Card

Today I used one of our hostess sets - Simply Sketched. I love this line drawn set. It literally looks like someone sketched the image. It lends itself very well to watercoloring!

Did you know that we now have the option for you to earn hostess benefits simply by having some of your friends from around the country place an order and include it on your "workshop"?  You don't actually have to hold a party in your home. You can even take turns being the hostess! Each of you can place orders over several months and take turns being the hostess and getting the hostess benefits!

If you have a few friends that want to place an order, I can give you a hostess code. They simply go in to my online store to place their order (which will be shipped directly to them) - they enter the hostess code I will give you, and their order will be counted toward your "workshop".

The hostess benefits are pretty generous as well. For just $150 in sales, you get $25 in hostess benefits to spend any way you would like!$250 - $40 free, $300 - $50 free and Once you get to $400 in sales, you get to pick any item in the catalog at half off, in addition to choosing $65 in free merchandise! There are exclusing hostess sets that CAN be chosen as part of your free merchandise (although, you can choose ANYTHING). These sets are available only to the hostess. Simply sketched is one of those sets and is available in clear for $10 (in hostess dollars) or in wood for $14 (hostess dollars).

Would you like to open an online workshop with me today?  Simply email me at [email protected], or call me at 217-586-7251 to get your hostess code. 

Would you just like to place an order? Go to my online store at www.kimpeckstamps.stampinup.net

PLEASE NOTE: I can only sell within the US!

Here is the card that I made using the Simply Sketched set, as well as a picture of the set.

I used Calypso Coral for the card base, Crisp Cantaloupe textured with the Honeycomb Textured Impressions Folder for the background, Pear Pizzazz for the matting around the image and saying, and I stamped the image using Black Stazon Ink onto watercolor paper. To color the image, I used the Marker Layering Technique that I learned from my friend Karen Barber. The marker colors I used were Blushing Bride, Crisp Cantaloupe, and Calypso Coral for the flowers, and Pear Pizzazz and Old Olive for the stems.

 

 

 

Finally Unpacked From Stampin' Up!'s Convention 2013

I finally have everything unpacked and put away from Convention last week. It was quite a task with all of the free giveaways this year!!  They truly were not kidding when they told us to bring an extra suitcase! Thankfully, I heeded the warning. I had an extra suitcase stuffed with gifts for my downline members who attended this year. I was so excited to have over 60 people from our group attend! It was sure great to see everyone!

Here is a picture of SOME of those that attended. I brought the green hats for everyone so that it was easy for us all to find each other. They were simple to spot even in a group of 6000 demonstrators!

I was thinking over many things while at convention. Many of you know that I moved from Illinois to California this past year. I have also started home-schooling my younger 3 children. Needless to say, these have been some major life changes!  

I was at some decision-making points about my business along the way. This business is great in that I had the flexibility to step back this year and focus on my family. Many jobs wouldn't truly allow that to happen. Stampin' Up! does! I always touted that as one of the "perks" of this business, but now I have a true understanding of just what that means. 

Was it hard to step back and let go of earning the incentive trips and earning Founder's Circle? YES!! But it was WONDERFUL to have that OPTION. That is exactly what I did. Would I love to earn the trip to Hawaii for next year and earn Founder's Circle again? YES! However, that is not my true goal this year.(although hear me say, it would bless my socks off if it happened!!)  Maybe again in the future - sure hope so! 

Right now, I need to build my business back up (I REALLY would like to help my children who are in college to meet some of their financial needs so that they do not owe so much when they get done!), continue to support my family, and stand back in awe of all of the blessings this business has brought me!!  The picture above represents one of the biggest blessings! The group of women that I work with are truly amazing! They are like family, and I admire each of them! THEY are the reason that I continue to do what I do!! It has been an incredible journey as I have gotten to know each of them, and been given the freedom to be home to raise my 6 kids at the same time!

It was very exciting to see two of the demonstrators in my downline earn Founder's Circle this year. I couldn't have been more happy for them - congratulations Meg and Julie!!

One of the wonderful things Stampin' Up! did for their demonstrators with titles of Senior Executive and above this year was to let us in early to see all of the displays and to take pictures. It was so nice to be able to take the time to see things without having to try to edge in between the crowds. If that was not enough, they gave each of us a beautiful box of goodies when we left to go to the opening session of convention.

What was in that box? 3 of my favorite things!! Here they are - in no particular order, since I don't know which I would claim is my VERY favorite!!

1. CHOCOLATE!!  These chocolate covered caramels came from V's Chocolates in Salt Lake City - they were the best ever!!

2. Beautiful handmade jewelry with the convention theme inscribed onto it.

3. STAMPS! Actually one very special stamp. I absolutely LOVE the saying, and they actually had it burned into the wood. What a special and thoughtful gift!

I cannot tell you how appreciated this made me feel. It took a great deal of hard work to get to my title of Director over the last 14 years. Stampin' Up! truly made me feel that I was appreciated and that they recognized the effort that it took to get to that title.

Once again, I am blessed!! Thank you, Stampin' Up!

Embellishments Galore!

I decided to play with my embellishments yesterday. I LOVE embellishments, so it was a bit overwhelming because I own so many. I wasn't sure where to start!

I decided to make a frilly feminine card, so I just started pulling out various "girlie" things like lace, ribbon, pearls and blushing bride card stock.

 

Here is what I came up with.

I used the Tea Party Stamp set (page 35 - wood mount item # 129135, clear mount item # 129138 - I just love the intricate details in this stamp set!) and Teeny Tiny Wishes (wood - 128745, clear - 127802). Teeny Tiny Wishes is probably one of the most versatile sets in the catalog! It comes with 24 all-purpose wishes that are small enough to fit into the Word Window Punch (item #119857).

I stamped the image in Basic Gray ink and colored the flower with the Garden Green and Primrose Petals markers.

The base card stock is Blushing Bride with the darker oval accent done in Primrose Petals.

I used the Labels Collection Framelit (item # 125598) and the Ovals Collection Framelits (Item # 129381) to create the layers behind the stamped image.

I made the "lace" by using the Delicate Details Lace Tape (Pg 171, item # 130966) and sponging around it with Blushing Bride ink using a sponge dauber (item # 102892). I then removed the lace tape to use on a different card later.

The doily was one of the Tea Lace Paper Doilies (item # 129399). The Pearls (item # 119247) come on a sheet with 150 self adhesive pearls. The ribbon is the new Blushing Bride Stitched Grosgrain (item # 131209), and finally - I used one of the Antique Brads (item # 117273) to continue the theme of the pewter teapot.

I hope you enjoyed today's card and all of the embellishments. I had fun using them all!!

Washi Tape Card

So I have jumped onto the washi tape band wagon. 

This tape is great for smash books, regular scrapbooks and a host of other projects. I wanted to find a simple way to use it on my cards. This is one of the make and takes I had at my new catalog open house. It uses the Gingham Garden Washi Tape (Item # 129314 on page 171 of the catalog). All three designs come in the package.

I also used the Chalk Talk Framelits to cut the banner (I folded the card stock in half before cutting so that the banner was longer), and the saying came from the Chalk Talk stamp set. I used white craft ink stamped onto Night of Navy Card stock.  Wonder of all wonders - the Chalk Talk set and framelits is available as a bundle (wood set - item 132731 or clear set - item number 132730 - both on page 12 of the catalog). You save 15% by buying these items as a bundle! Have I mentioned that I just LOVE our bundles?!

My favorite new accessories from this year's Stampin' Up! Catalog are the candy dots(page 171). These are self-adhesive colored metal dots reminiscent of the candy buttons we used to buy as kids! These are the perfect accent for any project that needs just a "little something" extra. They come in all of the Stampin' Up! four color families, so you will always have just the right color accent to go with your Stampin' Up! card stock! The dots used on this project were melon mambo. Each sheet contains 100 dots (10 each of 10 colors).

Festive Flurry Bundle

With the warm weather it seems a bit early to be talking about the holidays already, but they will be here before we know it!!

Stampin' Up!'s new Holiday Catalog will start August 1st!  Part of the advantage of being a demonstrator is that we get to see the catalog and order items from it early. We even earn items at an additional discount or FREE based on our titles! 

I said yesterday that I love bundles! Well, the Holiday Catalog did not disappoint! There are several new bundles in it as well. 

One of my favorites is the new Festive Flurry Bundle. It includes a set with 4 beautiful snowflakes and framelits to match that make die-cutting the snowflakes a snap!

This was my second swap from convention this year.

In addition to the bundle, I also used the new Pretty Print Textured Impressions folder as well as some of the new Winter Frost Specialty Designer Series Paper. It is my all-time FAVORITE! I used only a tiny strip on this card, but I can't wait for you to see the rest of the paper from this package. It is absolutely gorgeous, and includes 2 designs with silver foil. I will be going through many packages of this paper this season! I love the combination of turquoise colors with the silver!

I am off to create!!

Flower Shop Bundle

I just love the many bundles in our new catalog!!

 

This card features the Flower Shop Bundle on page 95 of the new catalog. The bundle includes the Flower Shop stamp set and the Pansy Punch that matches it. With the bundle, you save 15% off of these products!

The card also features the Afternoon Picnic Designer Series Paper (item 131390 page 151) and my favorite accessory - the candy dots! The base of the card was made using the soft sky card stock.

By the way, the Designer papers are on sale this month for buy 3 get one free!!  If you would like to order any of these papers, you can go to my website - www.kimpeckstamps.stampinup.net to order, or simply email me at [email protected]

I had many people ask me about our new home in California while I was at Stampin' Up!'s Convention this past week. So - I thought I would share a few pictures. 

One of my favorite things about my new home is the fruit trees we have in our yard! We have 3 orange trees, a sour cherry tree, 2 plum trees, an apple tree, a grape vine and a nectarine tree! Here is a picture of the Nectarine tree. It was so loaded, that one ofthe small branches actually broke under the weight of the ripened fruit!

Here was my breakfast this morning! YUM!!

My stamp room is now in our garage. The house we moved to out here is smaller than what we had in Illinois. There are no basements in our area of California, so that severly limits the space we have for a stamp room, especially with 6 kids! ha! SO - my husband promised me the garage - a decision I think he might be regretting! There is a window in the garage, so I was able to add a window airconditioner, and we have a very small space heater for winter. The great thing about our weather is that it generally doesn't get too hot or too cold, so the garage is working very well! Here is a view from my new "stamp studio!"

Not too shabby! I often open the garage door, so it is like stamping outside 365 days of the year! I occasionally get looks from the neighbors, but that is okay. I am sure they think these new "midwesterners" are a bit odd, but they are probably right, so why fight it!

 

 

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Video: Stampin' Up! Flower Shop Bundle Mounting Tips

Stampin' Up! Convention 2013

I am finally getting settled into our new home in California, so it is time to get back to work!

I am writing this from the airport in Salt Lake City getting to return home from the 2013 Stampin' Up! Convention. it was a blast!! I brought sparkly green hats for all 63 people in our group who attended. It was so fun to see our green hats spread throughout the convention center.

My favorite part of Convention? By far - spending time with all of my wonderful friends from all over the country. It was like one huge family reunion!!  It always goes by way too quickly!!

Here is one of the cards that I made to swap at Convention this year - 

No, I didn't cut out the bees - thankfully, there is a framelit that matches the Backyard Basics Stamp set and it cuts around the bee perfectly! The "honey" was created with our Crystal Effects.

Here is a picture of many of those in our group that came to convention this year.

What a wonderful group of ladies!!  It seems that there is never enough time together before it is all over. Stampin' Up! really outdid themselves this year with all of the give aways! Everyone who attended Convention received a prize during the "prize patrol" give aways. In addition to that there were many "all attendee giveaways". They certainly know how to celebrate, and the 25th year anniversary of the company was certainly a great reason to celebrate!

I don't think there was a dry eye in the house when the Heart of Stampin' Up! Award was presented this year. It was awarded to a very special lady, and someone I consider a friend. I truly admire Susy Miller, and have since I first saw her present on stage 12 years ago! I can't think of anyone more deserving of this award!!  We love you, Susy!!